100 died during Eid holidays

Deaths occurred due to drowning, electrocution and in other emergencies

LAHORE:

As many as 44 people died in 6,206 road traffic crashes, 29 in 36 drowning emergencies, 22 due to electrocution and 5 in 542 falls during the Eid holidays.

Director-General Punjab Emergency Service Department (PESD) Dr  Rizwan Naseer that during the five days of Eid, Rescue 1122 responded to 23,426 emergencies in all the districts of Punjab.

These emergencies included 6,206 road traffic crashes (RTCs) with 44 deaths, 13,157 medical emergencies with 436 deaths, 36 drowning emergencies with 29 deaths, 218 Fire emergencies, 855 delivery emergencies, 542 fall & slipping cases with 5 deaths, 340 cases of electrocution, 344 occupational injuries, 36 burn cases, 20 structural cases and 735 miscellaneous emergencies. Even 232 animal rescue operations were performed.

According to details, as many as 7 people died and 1,274 were injured in 1,208 RTCs on the first day of Eid. The highest number of RTCs, 240 with 250 injuries, was reported on Eid day. At least six drowning emergencies were reported on Eid day.

On the second day of Eid, as many as 10 people died in RTCs and 1,498 were injured in 1,308 RTCs. The most number of cases were reported from Lahore. Additionally, as many as 47 fire calls- the most 15 from Lahore and six from Rahim Yar Khan, were received.

A Punjab Police spokesperson said that 670 cases were registered against one-wheeling, aerial firing and kite-flying, while 638 accused were arrested. As many as 344 cases were registered against those accused of kite-flying across the province and 350 accused were arrested. In Lahore, 196 accused were arrested and 181 cases registered for one-wheeling, 40 accused were arrested and 75 cases registered for aerial firing, while 263 accused were arrested 263 cases registered against kite-flyers.

City Traffic Police Lahore impounded 310 motorcycles over reckless driving, 339 vehicles over using tinted windows and 1,276 for violation of one way laws during the Eid days in the provincial capital.

While chairing a Zoom meeting with District Emergency Officers, DG PESD appreciated the Rescuers who sacrificed their holiday to perform duties during Eid. However, he expressed concern over the loss of precious human lives lost and injuries caused by RTCs, electrocutions and drownings during Eid.

District Emergency Officers informed the meeting that the highest number of emergencies took place in Lahore, with 3,544 emergencies; followed by Faisalabad with 1,753, Multan with 1,751, Gujranwala with 1,245 and Bahawalpur with 1,090 emergencies. The lowest number of emergencies was recorded in Jhelum, with 179 emergencies reported.

During the meeting, District Emergency Officer Lahore informed about a major fire incident. Meanwhile, DEO Sahiwal briefed about a major road crash involving a hi-ace van, where 13 injured persons were shifted to hospital.

The District Emergency Officers of Bhakkar, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, M.B Din, Sialkot, DG khan, Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad briefed the meeting on drowning incidents in their respective districts during Eid.

After a detailed review of the emergencies data, Dr Naseer expressed his serious concern over the 44 killed in road crashes, 22 by electrocution and 29 by drowning during the Eid holidays. He urged citizens not to swim in rivers, canals, ponds and any other water recreational sites without proper safety arrangements. Citizens were warned against touching electric wires during rain, particularly electric switches, electric bells, pedestal fans, outdoor electric panels and other electrical appliances.

Deaths by electrocution can be reduced by taking safety measures, particularly by staying away from electrical pylon, he further added. The Director General advised citizens to take extra care while driving during rain and bad weather and to dial 1122 immediately in case of any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2022.